5 Reasons Worship is Important

Image Credit – Benjamin Eggen – CCO Public Domain Image – via Freely Photos

 The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.

We learn about the first churches in the book of Acts.  Did you know the disciples were first called Christians in the ancient city of Antioch?

And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.  Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;  for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.  And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;  and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. – Acts 11:21-26

For the next few weeks at my church, we are going to be learning about three areas of growth in the Christian life.  They are visually explained to us on the following diagram.

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Today, we are talking about the first circle - gathering together in worship.  The decision to attend a worship service is intentional.  Sure, you might decide at the last minute to go, but you still made an intentional decision to go.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.  Hebrews 10:23-25

Hebrews 10:23-25 teaches us to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds.”  We are to “not forsake our own assembling together,” in other words, go to church.  We are also to take part in “encouraging one another.”

Be an encourager!

Points to Ponder Concerning Worship 

Worship is Our Identity

Everyone worships something.  For some, whether they realize it or not, it might be money, fun, success, science, knowledge, beauty, popularity, love, sex, and so many other material things or ideas; but we were made to worship just One.

But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. – John 4:23

Whatever you worship, you become just like it.

Worship is Commanded by God

The first of the Ten Commandments reads “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”

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This commandment still applies today.  Our idols, our “gods” just look different from 1st century worshipers.  We need to teach our children to become Biblical worshipers.

But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14

Essential Things Happen When We Worship

When we attend church, we often experience the public reading of God’s Word.  We cannot have Biblical worship without God’s Word.

We pray.  At our church, we pray for one another.  If prayer is not an essential part of your church worship environment, then find another church.

At the end of our worship services, we have an “alter call.”  This gives worshipers an opportunity to go to the alter in response to the Holy Spirit.   People respond to an alter call for several reasons.  They respond when they receive Jesus, when they are prompted to pray for a loved one, when they accept a new calling on their lives – just to name a few reasons.

Tithing is part of our worship service.  Giving people an opportunity to give back to the Lord is an important part of worship.

We sing.  We enjoy lots of wonderful music at my church.

Encouragement and Ministry:  The messages we hear during a worship service can and do speak to our hearts.

God is in our midst.  He really is.  He promises us that He is with us when we worship with others in Matthew 18:20.

For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. – Matthew 18:20

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The Heart of Worship

Worship is not about what we prefer but what God prefers.  God prefers a pure heart.   Worship is about the glory of God.

Worship is Invitational

Anybody can come to a worship service.  If you are not sure where to worship, you can start with my church.  There is always an open door to our physical building and also online.  I am inviting you to worship with us every Sunday morning right here at 11:00am eastern time.  Sometimes we live-stream evening services as well.  I highly encourage you to find a place where you can worship with other believers in person.  You need to gather together with other believers.  Remember the first circle in the graphic above?  Then, you’ll need to get connected with a small Bible study group within the church (the second circle).  In the meantime, please consider this a heart-felt invitation for you to join my church in worship.

If you are a believer and you attend a Bible-teaching church, then be intentional about inviting other people to your church.  People need Jesus.  They can meet Him where you are.

At the end of my pastor’s message, he gave us some good advice.  We, as believers, can be – and should be – intensely passionate about God’s truths.  However, sometimes we respond to others, especially on social media, in ways that might burn bridges instead of building them.  Let’s resolve to not do or say anything that will cause someone else to not come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Don’t burn bridges.  Build them.

Image Credit – Benjamin Eggen – CCO Public Domain Image – via Freely Photos